The seventh and final church addressed in the book of Revelation was in Laodicea. They had the unfortunate distinction of being the only one of the seven churches to receive no positive comments from the Lord. They had reached the point where they believed they were fully self-sufficient and did not need the Lord. If we are not careful, we could easily follow their negative example.
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Revelation 3:14-22).
About the City
Three towns were located in the same general vicinity – Laodicea, Colossae, and Hierapolis. Bible students are familiar with Colossae because Paul’s letter to them is included in the New Testament. That letter also indicated that there were Christians in both Laodicea and Hierapolis (Colossians 2:1; 4:13). Paul also mentioned a letter coming from the church in Laodicea, which the brethren in Colossae were to read and share their letter with the brethren in Laodicea (Colossians 4:15-16).
Several characteristics of the city of Laodicea corresponded to the spiritual condition of the church in that place.* First, the city was a banking center, so it was very prosperous. Second, Laodicea was home to a medical school that made a powder for treating eye problems. Third, they were known for making garments of black glossy wool. Yet the church in this place was charged as being “poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Letter to the Church
This letter was unique compared with the other six letters. Many components are the same, yet the letter to the church at Laodicea received no commendation from the Lord.
- Description of Jesus – Jesus identified Himself as “the Amen” (Revelation 3:14), which means sure or true. When on trial, He told Pilate that He came “to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). And He told these brethren that He was “the faithful and true Witness” (Revelation 3:14), testifying of what was right. He is also “the Beginning of the creation of God” (Revelation 3:14). Paul described Him as “the firstborn of all creation” because “all things were created” by Him (Colossians 1:15-16; cf. John 1:3).
- Current circumstances – There is no mention of persecution affecting these brethren, nor were false teachers causing havoc among the church. However, they were “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:16). This means they were complacent and comfortable in their present condition. As we will see, their present condition was not pleasing to the Lord. They were in a state of spiritual mediocrity.
- Commendations – Sadly, the Lord had nothing good to say about this church. It is the only one of the seven like this.
- Condemnations – We already noticed that they were “lukewarm,” but what caused them to be in that condition? Jesus said that these brethren trusted in riches (Revelation 3:17), which is not surprising given the fact that they lived in a wealthy city. Yet it led them to think they were “in need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17) – even from God. However, they did need the spiritual blessings (“gold refined by fire”), forgiveness (“white garments”), and enlightenment (“eye salve…so that you may see”) that only the Lord could provide (Revelation 3:18).
- Punishment for sin – Because they were “lukewarm,” the Lord said He would “spit [them] out of [His] mouth” (Revelation 3:16). In other words, if they did not make corrections, He would reject them as His people. Therefore, they needed to “be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19). They had become spiritually dead and needed to accept the Lord’s reproof by opening the door to Him as He stood outside and knocked (Revelation 3:20). It is a remarkable and tragic thought that Christ was outside one of His churches rather than in their midst.
- Reward for faithfulness – Despite the harsh letter, there was still hope for these brethren if they would accept the Lord’s rebuke and turn back to Him. If they would do this, they would “sit down with [Him] on [His] throne” (Revelation 3:21), reigning with Christ, just as the church in Thyatira was promised (cf. Revelation 2:26-27).
Main Lesson: Depend on the Lord
The city of Laodicea was wealthy and not dependent upon others for their well-being. This attitude affected the church and caused the brethren to think that they were self-sufficient. Of course, self-sufficiency is good to an extent. Paul talked about how he worked to provide for himself without relying on others (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9). The problem with the church in Laodicea is that they took this too far and began to think that they did not even need God. This resulted in a state of spiritual mediocrity (being “lukewarm”), which was not appealing to the Lord.
This is the lesson for us today. We need to recognize our dependence upon the Lord.
While we must take personal responsibility, we must never forget our need for the Lord. As James wrote, everything we have that is good in this life is from God.
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17).
If everything good is from God, then that necessarily means that we would have nothing good without Him. He is the source of every blessing we have. This is true for the physical things of this life. Paul told Timothy, “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). This is also true for the spiritual blessings we enjoy. Paul reminded the Ephesians that “every spiritual blessing” is found “in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3), which means that there are none outside of Him. But with these blessings, we have “become rich” (Revelation 3:18).
One of the spiritual blessings found in Christ is the forgiveness of sins, signified by the “white garments” that the Lord provided (Revelation 3:18). Paul went on to say, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). Without Him, we have no hope. Instead, we would receive what we deserve for our sins. Paul explained this in his letter to the saints in Rome: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Without God’s word, we would be unable to see clearly what direction to go. If it were not for the guidance He provides through His revealed will, we would be hopelessly lost. The prophet Jeremiah acknowledged this: “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Thankfully, we have God’s word as “a lamp to [our] feet and a light to [our] path” (Psalm 119:105). This is the treatment that makes it so that we “may see” (Revelation 3:18).
Conclusion
It is hard to imagine a church (or a Christian) who believes that they do not need the Lord. Yet prosperity can deceive us, just as it did the church in Laodicea. We are tempted to put our trust in material things rather than in God.
We must be zealous in the Lord’s service, always recognizing our dependence upon Him. Let us never forget to look to Him for blessings, forgiveness, and guidance.
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*Halley’s Bible Handbook, p. 707.
